Blues chiefs are privately accusing Ferguson of "hypocrisy" after the Manchester United boss said he "refused to believe" Clattenburg had called John Obi Mikel a "monkey" during his side's stormy 3-2 win at Stamford Bridge last month.

Chelsea are actually pointing out that it was Fergie who marched Patrice Evra to the referee's dressing room at Anfield last season to demand Andre Marriner take back his accusations against Luis Suarez, the Daily Mirror reports.

According to the report, the Blues hierarchy feel Ferguson's aggressive pursuit of the case stand in stark contrast to his stance over Mikel's allegations.

Parallels are also being drawn inside SW6 between Arsenal boss Wenger's criticism of Chelsea for "going public" with their complaint and FIFA chief Sepp Blatter's suggestion that on-field racism should be addressed and put to bed by a handshake, the report said.